As an antidote to all the young upstarts taking over the comedy scene, many of whom were not alive when comedy was proclaimed 'the new rock n' roll', Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival has announced its annual search for the oldest stand up in the UK. Working together with the team at Silver Comedy, a specialist comedy training company working with older people, the festival is continuing its Silver Stand Up Competition as part of Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2013.

The competition is open to anyone aged over 55 and heats will be held today, 27th January at The Pleasance (Islington, London) with winners being selected by a panel of judges to take part in the final on Thursday 14th February in Leicester. Entry to the competition is now open and details can be obtained by emailing ashley@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk.

The 2013 competition follows on from the hugely successful launch in 2012 which saw Shelley Bridgman win the title prize. Shelley continues to gig regularly across the UK and has just helped launch the BBC search for the best script that promotes a positive portrayal of transgender characters. Other entrants in the 2012 competition include CharmIan Hughes, who will be performing her first full hour show at Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2013.

The Silver Stand Up Competition has received support from established acts including Sir Bruce Forsyth, Alexei Sayle and Jasper Carrot. On launching the competition, Arthur Smith said "Untroubled by the need to visit night clubs or 'be cool', the old survey the world at a longer perspective and are funnier than the screaming youngsters. Who is funnier - Barry Cryer or Jedward? The old repeat themselves, the young have nothing to say - the boredom is mutual. The old repeat themselves, the young have nothing to say - the boredom is mutual."

Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival (8-24 February 2013) is the longest running comedy festival in the UK, having been set up in 1994. The festival runs for 17 days across almost 60 venues and over 500 shows have been confirmed for the 2013 event. Acts include Alan Davies, Milton Jones, Russell Kane, Carl Donnelly, Doc Brown, Terry Alderton, Jenny Éclair, Seann Walsh and Al Murray.